DAVID MYERSMULTIDISCIPLINE INSPECTOR

The Village of Ruidoso is responsible for permitting and inspections for Electrical, Building, Mechanical and Plumbing in the Village limits and the surrounding Lincoln County area.

The Village of Ruidoso is under the New Mexico construction codes and the Village of Ruidoso, NM Ordinances. The Construction codes are based on the: 2015 IBC, 2015 IRC, 2015 UPC, 2015 UMC, 2017 NEC, 2015 IEBC, 2009 IECC and 2015 USPSHT codes.

The Village Council adopted Ordinance #2015-08 on September 15, 2015 amending Chapter 22 of the Village Building Code, including “Appendix A – Fee Schedule”. Please note that this is the current, updated Building Code and Fee Schedule and will be codified into MuniCode in early 2016 for easier reference.

What's New(s)

Effective November 15, 2018 the plumbing and mechanical codes will be changed from the 2012 Uniform Plumbing and Uniform Mechanical Codes to the 2015 Uniform Plumbing and Uniform Mechanical Codes. Please see the following links for important changes in these codes.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Do I need a permit?

Why Do I Need a Building Permit?

A permit is required mainly to ensure that work meets minimum safety codes and standards and determine if the project is in a flood zone. Please be aware that if you do work without a permit, it may affect your ability to sell your property at a future date. Lenders scrutinize changes made to a building and often request proof of inspections.

Subject to CILA Section 60-13-3, section 60-13-45, and the provisions of the NM CID rules, no building or structure shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished, and no electrical wiring, plumbing or mechanical work as defined and described in the applicable New Mexico construction codes for those trades, may be installed, repaired or maintained in or on such building or structure, unless the applicable permit has first been obtained from the division. All re-roofs require a building permit and inspections.

Permits can be issued only to licensed contractors, or to the homeowner. If the homeowner applies for a permit, he/she must meet the State of New Mexico requirements for “Homeowners Responsibilities for any Type of Alteration or Construction made to a Residential Building”.

Exceptions to Requirement for Construction Permits:

One story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet

Decks not to exceed 120 feet in area, that are not more than 30" above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by section R-311.2 of the IRC

Oil derricks

Retaining walls that are not over 48 inches in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding class I, II, or III-A liquids

Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1

Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below and which are not part of an accessible route.

Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.

Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to group R-3 occupancies, as applicable in the NMRBC, which are less than 24 inches (610mm) deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground.

Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes and not including services systems.

Swings and other playground equipment accessory to one-and two-family dwellings.

Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of group R-3, as applicable in the NMRBC, and group U occupancies.

Moveable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height.

Any work not otherwise regulated by the New Mexico construction codes and the CID rules.

Some of the above items require Zoning permits, please contact the Zoning office.

How Do I Get a Permit?

Permit applications can be downloaded or obtained at the Planning Department at 313 Cree Meadows Drive in Ruidoso. Many projects will require a set of drawings to be submitted with the application, detailing the proposed alterations or construction. Please include a site plan. Two or three sets of drawings will be required depending whether the work is commercial or residential. Plan review can take from 2 days to several weeks depending on the complexity of the project. Electronic submittal is allowed for plan checking for some projects. To see if your project can be submitted electronically please contact us. When plan review is completed and approved, you will be notified by department personnel of the fee amount.

How Do I Schedule an Inspection?

To schedule an inspection, contact the Inspection Request Hotlineat 575-258-6996at least one day prior to the inspection. The inspection will be scheduled subject to availability.

How Do I Get Floodplain Information?

Portions of the Village of Ruidoso are in flood zones; please contact our office prior to starting any construction work for permits and to determine if the project is in a flood zone. Construction in flood zones can cost more due to additional requirements and flood certification costs like, doing assessments on existing structures, raising the building pad, flood vents and more. Please contact the office at 575-258-6999 to schedule an appointment with Bill Powers.